This Is an Expedition Before and After Trip Logistics the Trip Camping Equipment Provided Packing List Frequently Asked Questions Trip Map
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SPEX Sedona Philosophy Experience The Grand Questions Colorado River trip June 2-June 10, 2017 Contents: THIS IS AN EXPEDITION BEFORE AND AFTER TRIP LOGISTICS THE TRIP CAMPING EQUIPMENT PROVIDED PACKING LIST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS TRIP MAP THIS IS AN EXPEDITION This is an extraordinary vacation and may be unlike any other experience you and your guests have ever had. Please review this information as it is important to us that you and everyone on your reservation are prepared for the trip. Keep in mind the anticipated rigors of the trip; good health and physical condition are musts for this rafting adventure. A Grand Canyon rafting trip often presents challenges to those already compromised with poor health or physical fitness. Please strongly consider and discuss any challenges with your doctor. Beyond the active itinerary, camp safety is essential. Camp life may entail moving around and over rocks, climbing steep, sandy beaches, and cautiously crossing slick or sticky mud. In addition, living outdoors for several days in a desert environment can quickly impact one’s health and stamina. Weather conditions vary from extreme heat to extreme cold, heavy rain, strong winds, and blowing sand. We encourage you to use the following questions to help think about the ideal level of endurance and stamina needed. Can you: • Ascend and descend two flights of stairs carrying a 20 pound bag without using a handrail? • Get up on top of a kitchen counter, stand up, and return to the floor without using a stool? • Climb several sets of stairs while urgently needing the bathroom? • Rise from a seated position from the ground to standing up to 30 times a day? • Balance a plate of food on your lap while eating? • Suspend your weight from a pull up bar for 15 seconds? This trip is doable for most adventurers and for many newcomers as well. After reviewing this information, contact me if you have any concerns: Email [email protected] or call 928-380-1682. BEFORE AND AFTER TRIP LOGISTICS The trip begins in Flagstaff, AZ June 2, 2017 at 9 AM and ends in Flagstaff, AZ June 10th between 3-7 PM. You should be in Flagstaff, AZ the night before on June 1, 2017 for an orientation meeting at 7 PM at the Double Tree by Hilton Flagstaff (928-773-8888). Many guests may choose to stay at the Double Tree the night before the trip and the night after, and will receive a discount through AzRA. These nights are not included in the Grand Questions River trip price. Refer to the “AzRA” rooming block to receive a preferred room rate, which is reasonable and competitive for the Flagstaff area. The room rate does change yearly, so please refer to your trip logistics document in your detailed information packet or online trip portfolio for current pricing. The AzRA room rate is only guaranteed for the night before your trip departs and the evening of the return. If you need additional nights, you will be charged the going rate. The DoubleTree books up quickly so it is important that you make your reservation well in advance. There are other hotels in the area including the Days Inn (928-774-5221), Comfort Inn (928-774-2225), Howard Johnson Inn (928-774-3381), Ramada (928-773-1111), Travelodge (928-213-5800), Fairfield Inn by Marriott (928-773-1300), and Motel 6 (928-779-3757). If you choose to stay at another hotel, you are responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from the DoubleTree. Orientation Meeting We hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree Flagstaff the night before your trip. It is imperative that you attend this meeting. You will receive one personal gear dry bag and one day dry bag at this time. (Your sleeping unit will already be at Lee’s Ferry). We will review last minute details such as packing your gear, beverages, luggage and vehicle storage arrangements, and answer any last minute questions. Vehicle and Extra Luggage Storage You may park a vehicle in the parking lot at the DoubleTree for the duration of your trip. We will also store any extra luggage you have and return it to you at the end of your trip. There is no extra charge for these services. PLEASE limit luggage storage to one piece per person! June 2, 2017 departure from Flagstaff On Friday June 2, at 9 AM we will meet in front of the DoubleTree and board shuttles to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. At this time everything that you are taking on the trip must be in your two dry bags and loaded on the shuttle. At the south rim you will have several options to take short hikes along the rim, down into the canyon a short distance, or stay in the shade visiting tourist shops and historical exhibits at the Grand Canyon village. We will have lunch at the El Tovar Hotel. We will then drive east along South Rim drive to various overlooks to enjoy the Grand Canyon from above. We will end up at the Desert View Watchtower for dinner and to watch the sunset over the canyon. We will then drive half an hour to Cameron, AZ where we will stay the night at the historic Navajo Trading Post. This will be your last warm shower for the next eight days, so enjoy it! First river day Saturday morning, June 3, we will get up and have breakfast at 7 AM and jump on the AzRA bus at 9 AM. We will arrive at Lees Ferry, the launch site, at around 11 AM to load the rafts and push off at noon. From here on out your meals will be provided by AzRA on the banks of the Colorado River. A Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, a tent, and a camp chair will be on the raft for each guest to use each night in camp. Last river day On Saturday, June 10th you will arrive at Diamond Creek (the take-out location) mid- morning on the last day. It can be a bitter-sweet experience as everyone comes together one last time to unload the boats. It can be hot and there isn’t much shade. Although somewhat hectic, the expedition and team experience continues as your trip begins the clean-up process and loads river gear on the truck. We will then take you back to the DoubleTree in Flagstaff. The first 19 miles of the trip back to Flagstaff is on Diamond Creek Road. This stretch of road can be quite rough. It is a dirt road that runs down a wash and can be extremely bumpy, dusty and it usually takes about an hour to get to a paved road. However, it is a beautiful drive and can be an adventure in itself! The trip from the river back to Flagstaff takes about 3 hours with lunch provided along the way and one bathroom break. When you arrive at the DoubleTree, we will greet you with your stored luggage. Red River Sports souvenirs will also be available. Arrival time at the DoubleTree is usually between 3-7 p.m. however we cannot guarantee this arrival time. Since we cannot guarantee the return time, we highly recommend staying at the DoubleTree that evening and travel the next day. Many trips gather in Flagstaff for a post-trip celebration dinner the evening of the return. THE TRIP 8 days, Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek*, 226 river miles Group size: 12 guests, plus 3 philosopher guides, and 2 AzRA raft guides. *Diamond Creek road is a dirt road alongside Diamond Creek Wash and is the only road to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Although rare, it is possible in the case of severe flooding in Diamond Creek, that the road can become impassable. If this were to happen on the day of your take-out, we may have to continue down the river to Pearce Ferry Road at river mile 279, in which case, return time to Flagstaff could be late in the evening (or in extremely unusual cases, the following morning). Motorized Raft: The boats are 34 feet in length and 15 feet wide. This sturdy and stable design is a superb way to experience the Grand Canyon and still offers excitement through the rapids. Arizona Raft Adventures pioneered the use of small, four-stroke outboard engines specially designed to minimize noise output, save fuel and reduce emissions. The roomy floor plan provides a comfortable seating arrangement and allows you the opportunity to get up and stretch your legs while the boat is moving. Our moderate group size allows space to spread out on the raft. CAMPING Grand Canyon camping is simply amazing. Guests and guides alike love camp life for so many reasons; such as the sandy beaches, the incredible sunrises, sunsets, and night skies, relaxing with friends and family, moments of private reflection, hiking opportunities, delicious prepared meals and winding down after a fun adventure filled day. Each trip is different and there is no pre-set camping location itinerary for your trip. The campsites in Grand Canyon are primitive and usually large beaches with plenty of natural landscape including vegetation and rocks. Most of the camps have spots scattered within the natural landscape that will make a perfect place for you to set up your personal camp area (sleeping bag, tent and personal gear). When you arrive at the stopping point for the day, we encourage everyone to pitch in and help the guides unload the boats.